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... > social science subjects > education > educational systems > curriculum > curriculum studies > inquiry and research > quantitative research > quantitative data analysis > general linear models > least squares criterion
... > social science subjects > social research > research methods and evaluation > quantitative research > quantitative data analysis > general linear models > least squares criterion
... > contexts > population characteristics > health > public health > epidemiologic methods > statistics as topic > regression analysis > least squares criterion

Preferred term

least squares criterion  

Definition

  • The rule that using the ∗mean to predict the scores in a distribution results in predictions that are most accurate, with “accurate” in this case indicating that using the mean yields the smallest possible sum of squared ∗errors (or squared ∗deviation scores). In ∗regression analysis, it is called ∗ordinary least squares (OLS), which is a method or criterion for calculating the ∗regression equation (or drawing the regression line) that best summarizes or fits a distribution. [Source: Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology; Least Squares Criterion (or Principle)]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/least_squares_criterion

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